Automation Engineer

LHH Recruitment Solutions; Mebane (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing global manufacturer to hire an Automation Engineer to lead automation and controls for major capital expansion projects. You will oversee system design, PLC programming, controls integration, equipment commissioning, and startup activities across production lines.

Reporting to the site engineering team, you will collaborate with operations, maintenance, and external vendors, serve as the automation SME, and drive projects from concept

Qualifications

• 5+ years of automation, controls, or project engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC platforms.
• Background leading capital projects, automation upgrades, or equipment installations.
• Knowledge of electrical controls, machine integration, and industrial networking.
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and controls projects from concept through implementation.
• Support new equipment installations, process improvements, and plant expansions.
• Manage PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networks, and controls architecture.
• Coordinate with machine builders, integrators, and contractors during project execution.
• Drive commissioning, troubleshooting, and startup activities for manufacturing equipment.
• Serve as the site's automation subject matter expert.

Skills

Automation experience

Controls systems

Project engineering

Cross-functional communication

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

Job description

A growing global manufacturer is seeking a Automation Engineerto lead automation and controls efforts supporting major capital expansion projects. This highly visible role will oversee automation system design, PLC programming, controls integration, equipment commissioning, and production line startups while partnering with operations, engineering, maintenance, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead automation and controls projects from concept through implementation
• Support new equipment installations, process improvements, and plant expansions
• Manage PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networks, and controls architecture
• Coordinate with machine builders, integrators, and contractors during project execution
• Drive commissioning, troubleshooting, and startup activities for manufacturing equipment
• Serve as the site's automation subject matter expert

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of automation, controls, or project engineering experience in manufacturing
• Hands‑on experience with Allen‑Bradley and/or Siemens PLC platforms
• Background leading capital projects, automation upgrades, or equipment installations
• Knowledge of electrical controls, machine integration, and industrial networking
• Strong project management and cross‑functional communication skills